© seemallorca.com
Balearic government reveals plans to help tourism sector
The new Partido Popular government has now been in office for 100 days, and with that milestone, they have announced their strategy for creating growth for the region's economy. New laws aimed at helping the tourism industry are to be drafted, and the process for dealing with planning applications are to be streamlined.
The government say that there are over 700 planning applications currently in the system, many of which have stalled because of complex legal requirements. They say that there is a need to remove some of these barriers to encourage the major players in the hotel industry to invest in Mallorca and the other islands. The government are also keen to reassure environmental groups that any changes to planning laws will not automatically mean building on green belt and protected land.
The new legislation is seen as key to encouraging private businesses to invest in the islands, which is turn, will boost the local economy by providing jobs and creating wealth.
In the wider economic picture for the Balearics, the government say that they have produced savings of €360 million by reducing the number of government departments, and placing a cap on temporary contracts and overtime payments. Cuts have also been introduced across social services and education.
